07-17-2012, 08:19 PM
Quote: Dating Vegetius has vexed many historians. Most appear to agree that he wrote the 'Epitome' before the sack of Rome in 410AD. However, I'm not entirely convinced about this. He does make reference to the 'destruction of many great cities' which perhaps hints at the sack of Rome. He also wrote that he did not need to comment on the arms and equipment of the Roman cavalry as they had 'been brought into perfection after the manner of the Huns, Goths and Alans'.Perhaps, and perhaps not. 'Great cities' had been destroyed before, weren't they? Why would only Rome qualify, even with Rome being much, much larger than other cities? As to Huns, Goths and Alans, I think Vegetius never saw Roman cavalry at all? If he had, he would certainly have realised their importance - more likely, he worked from paper only, and found no treatise dealing with cavalry?
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
